Iranian Influence on Moslem Literature, Part I eBook

[Footnote 1: Ahl-bayat, or people of the house,
is the Arabic equivalent of the Iranian Visputhra
and was applied by Arabs to the superior Persian noblemen.]

[Footnote 2: Here is evidence, on the one hand,
that the Arab historians had Iranian histories at
their disposal and on the other, that the latter are
still reflected in the yasht literature.]

[The historian narrates how Isfandiyar went into the
heart of the kingdom of the Turk and reached his capital
which was called “Dez Ruin” and he proceeds
to say “and being interpreted in Arabic it means
the palace of copper.” There is further
reference to the canals and castles which we can trace
to the BUNDEHESH. The struggle between Rustum
and Isfandiyar is also described. This is followed
by a curious passage regarding Zoroaster.]

DINAWARI.

PAGE 26, CAIRO EDITION.

THE CALL OF ZARADUSHT.

[Sidenote: Rustam and Isfandiyar.]

And it is said that Zaradusht the head of the Magians
came to Bishtasb the king and told him, “I am
the Apostle of God to you”, and gave him the
Book which the Magians possess. Then Bishtasb
believed in him and accepted his religion which is
that of the Magians and exhorted the people of his
kingdom to the same and they also accepted it nolence
volence. And Rustam the Strong, was at that time
the Governor of Sagistan and Khorasan, and he was
powerful of body and possessed of great vigour.
And when this happened it was reported to Kaykobad
the king, this, about the admittance of Bishtasb into
the Magian religion and his abandoning the religion
of their forefathers. Kaykobad became exceedingly
angry at this, and said that this was forsaking of
the religion of their forefathers who had inherited
it from one generation to another. Then the people
of Sagistan were gathered together and they wore incited
to destroy Bishtasb. And they revolted against
him. Upon this Bishtasb called upon Isfandiyar
who was the strongest man of his time and said to
him, “Oh son, the kingdom will be entrusted to
you. But the affairs will not improve except
by killing Rustam, and you know his strength and vigour.
But you are his match in power and prowess. So
do you choose from the army whomever you like and
then proceed against him.” So Isfandiyar
selected 12,000 Persian knights from the forces of
his father, and marched against Rustam. And Rustam
proceeded towards him between the boundaries or Sagistan
and Khorasan. Isfandiyar suggested to Rustam
that their armies should be excused from attacking
each other, but that they two should engage in single
combat and that whoever killed the other should be
held to be the victor. Rustam agreed to the proposal
and the covenant. Then the two armies stood abide
and the two warriors engaged in a duel. Now the
Persians have a good deal to say in this matter and
that it was Rustam who killed Isfandiyar and that the
latter’s army returned to Bishtasb and informed
him of what had happened to his son Isfandiyar.
The king was overwhelmed with grief fell ill and died.
And the kingdom, came to the grandson Bahman, son of
Isfandiyar, and it is related that soon after Rustam
returned to his residence in Sagistan, he died.[1]